細節
GUITEAU, Charles J. (1840(?)-1882), Assassin of President Garfield. Portion of an autograph letter signed ("Charles J. Guiteau") to an unknown recipient, Chicago, [IL], [1876]. 1 page, 4to, on Charles Guiteau's Law Office Stationery, label stain at bottom, evidence of mounting on verso. LAWYER GUITEAU; FUTURE ASSASSIN. In the years before he became infamous for the assassination of President James Garfield, Charles Guiteau practised law in Chicago. On this page of what was evidently a longer letter, Guiteau attempts to convince a claimant that they should settle with his client Mr. Storey [probably from the 1876 case of Early v. Storey]. Guiteau writes: "...Supreme Court in the case against the Chicago Times where they sustained $15,000, but that case was not 1/20 as aggravating as mine. Besides, Mr. Storey is not worth 1/20 what you are. I have made up my mind to settle for a certain sum & if you act with your usual liberality we may agree, and thereby end this suit."
Guiteau was mentally unstable when he came to Washington looking for a diplomatic appointment. When he was refused, he determined to kill the president, believing that it was for the good of the nation and that it was God's work. He also believed that he would not be charged for the crime and, in fact, thought that it would make him famous. Guiteau shot Garfield at the Washington Railroad Station on July 2, 1881. He chose an expensive revolver to commit the crime, feeling that it would look the best in a museum display. Guiteau was captured, convicted and sentenced to hang. On June 30, 1882, the day of his execution, as he stood upon the scaffold, Guiteau calmly sang a hymn he had written for the occasion, I am going to the Lordy, I am so glad.
Guiteau was mentally unstable when he came to Washington looking for a diplomatic appointment. When he was refused, he determined to kill the president, believing that it was for the good of the nation and that it was God's work. He also believed that he would not be charged for the crime and, in fact, thought that it would make him famous. Guiteau shot Garfield at the Washington Railroad Station on July 2, 1881. He chose an expensive revolver to commit the crime, feeling that it would look the best in a museum display. Guiteau was captured, convicted and sentenced to hang. On June 30, 1882, the day of his execution, as he stood upon the scaffold, Guiteau calmly sang a hymn he had written for the occasion, I am going to the Lordy, I am so glad.